New pressure to speed up Anxiang Du extradition

John Harrison

A Northampton MP has written to the Foreign Office in a bid to speed up the ongoing extradition of quadruple murder suspect, Anxiang Du.

Michael Ellis, MP for Northampton North, has written to Alistair Burt, a Parliamentary under-secretary, to ask for a “speedy resolution” to the process. Du has been awaiting extradition from Morocco for more than four months, after he was arrested in the north African country in July.

In his letter, Mr Ellis said he was aware there had been “considerable delays” in the process, but said: “The people of Northampton would like to see a resolution to the case as soon as possible.”

Speaking to the Chronicle & Echo, he said: “I have spoken to some people at the Home Office and following on from that, I have written to the Foreign Office. I am concerned about this case. It was a multiple murder in my home town and I want to see justice done as soon as possible. I take the view that justice delayed is justice denied.”

He added: “My understanding is we have a good relationship with Morocco, but it is obviously complicated when there is no extradition process between the two countries.

“I hope this is kept fresh in the minds of those involved with the negotiating process because I want them to get on with it. I appreciate this takes time, but as far as I am concerned I am just trying to keep the Foreign Office on the ball. I want this to kept at the top of their agenda.”

Du remains the only person wanted in connection with the brutal murders of Jifeng Ding, his wife Helen Chui, and the pair’s two daughters, Xing, aged 18, and Alice, aged 12, in Simpson Manor, Northampton, in April 2011.

THE extradition of Anxiang Du is reliant upon diplomats agreeing a “special agreement” with Morocco.

The deal must be agreed in the absence of an official extradition treaty with experts warning cases of extradition between the countries are “unprecedented”.

Expert Julian Knowles QC said “the major task would be for the diplomats, in terms of the persuasion and cajoling” of Moroccan officials.